McClain family blog

Projects...

2009-02-10T20:38:00.001-08:00

Hello everyone! I posted some pictures of projects I've been up to to keep me busy on our blog. Check it out and let me know what you think. :)

Love, Crys

Budgeting Worksheets

2009-01-25T20:22:00.000-08:00

I have talked to some of you about the Budgeting Program/Worksheets that I came up with. The program is very easy to use and really helps you to see where all of your money goes and to come up with a realistic budget. I would love to send it to anyone who would like it and help you to get it up and going. It takes concepts from the churches pamphlet, One For the Money, and other practical and realistic ideas. This is something we have been using since last May and has been a HUGE help and blessing for us. This is something I enjoy doing and am willing to help anyone who would like it. Call me and I can e-mail it to you. It uses Excel. Love you! Dori

2009-01-11T23:27:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to let everyone know that we also have our own family blog. I am trying hard to update it often. I have been terrible about it in the past, so here's to improving in 2009. I just updated with a few posts to cover the last 6 months or so. I put our family pictures that we recently had taken and a few videos of Amber. So come take a look! Hope everyone has had a great week! Hope your first week back at school went well Utahna. Love you all!

Love, Crys

click here to visit our blog

You might live in North Dakota if...

2009-01-09T07:19:00.001-08:00

One of my friends posted this on her Facebook page and it made Nick and I laugh. So we thought we'd share it.

Jeff Foxworthy's comments on North Dakota:

> If you consider it a sport to gather your food by drilling through 8
inches of ice and sitting there all day hoping that the food will swim
by, You might live in North Dakota.
>
> If you're proud that your state makes the national news primarily
because it houses the coldest spot in the nation, You might live in
North Dakota.
>
>If your local Dairy Queen is closed from November through March, You
might live in North Dakota.
>
> If someone in a store offers you assistance, and they don't work
there, You might live in North Dakota.
>
> If you have worn shorts and a parka at the same time, You might live
in North Dakota.
>
> If your town has an equal number of bars and churches, You might live
in North Dakota.
>
> If parking your car for the night involves an extension cord, You
might live in North Dakota.
>
> If you know how to correctly pronounce Medina, Cando, and Hebron, You
might live in North Dakota.
>
> If you think that ketchup is a little too spicy, You might live in
North Dakota.
>
> If "vacation" to you means going shopping for the weekend in
Grand
Forks, Fargo, Minot or Bismarck (while the kids swim at the Comfort
Inn), You might live in North Dakota.
>
> If you measure distance in hours, You might live in North Dakota.
>
> If your family vehicle is a crew cab pickup, You might live in North
Dakota.
>
> If you know several people who have hit deer more than once, You might
live in North Dakota.
>
> If you often switch from "heat" to "A/C" in the same
day and back
again, You might live in North Dakota.
>
> If you can drive 65 mph through 2 feet of snow during a raging
blizzard, without flinching, You might live in North Dakota.
>
> If you see people wearing hunting clothes at social events, You might
live in North Dakota.
>
> If you've installed security lights on your house and garage and leave
both unlocked, You might live in North Dakota.
>
> If you think of the major food groups as beer, fish, and venison, You
might live in North Dakota.
>
> If the largest traffic jam in your town centers around a high school
basketball game, You might live in North Dakota.
>
> If you carry jumper cables in your car and your girlfriend knows how
to use them, You might live in North Dakota.
>
> If there are 7 empty cars running in the parking lot at Wal-Mart at
any given time, You might live in North Dakota.
>
> If there are more people at work on Christmas Eve Day than on Open
Deer season, You might live in North Dakota.
>
> If you design your kid's Halloween costume to fit over a snowsuit, You
might live in North Dakota.
>
> If driving is better in the winter because the potholes are filled
with snow, You might live in North Dakota.
>
> If you know all 4 seasons: almost winter, winter, still winter and
road construction, You might live in North Dakota.
>
> If you can identify a southern or eastern accent, You might live in
North Dakota.
>
> If you consider Fargo exotic, You might live in North Dakota.
>
> If your idea of creative landscaping is a statue of a deer next to
your cottonwood, You might live in North Dakota.
>
> If the sunbelt to you means Bismarck, You might live in North Dakota.
>
> If a brat is something you eat, You might live in North Dakota.
>
> If finding your misplaced car keys involves looking in the ignition,
> You might live in North Dakota.
>
> If you go out to a fish fry every Friday, You might live in North
Dakota.
>
> If you find 0 degrees a little chilly, You might live in North Dakota.

Nick and I wanna add one...

>If you think "for cute" is an acceptable way to say you like something, you might live in North Dakota

BLIZZARD!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-12-14T07:22:00.000-08:00

Hello family!

Just letting everyone know we are safe. We are completely snowed in and enduring a CRAZY blizzard, but are safe. Church was canceled due to the weather. We got a message on our ward website from the first presidency saying be prepared to tap into your food storage. I'm so grateful that we've be counseled to keep a food storage. Looks like it's gonna come in handy sooner than anyone thought. I'll keep you updated on the storm here. Stay safe where you all are. We love you! And will talk to you all soon.

Love, Crys and Amber

PS. Nick is doing well. One week before he gets home this time! WE CAN'T WAIT!!! We all just want him him...kinda still like him! ;) Love you all!

Everyday Stuff

2008-11-08T15:05:00.001-08:00

Well, I'm sorry I haven't been on the blog for a while. I really just haven't had time to get on during the day, and I'm so darn tired at the end of every day. I don't have anything amazing to say, so I'll just tell you a few things I've done lately.

Friday, I went to 2 different awards assemblies at the boys school. (They all have great grades.) Then I went and paid for a Solar Oven we're buying. Then I went and bought a toilet seat that fits onto a 5 gal. bucket, for our emergency preparedness stuff. Then I went back to the school for Elijah's special poster he shared with his class for being the star of the week.

Starting Thurs. until Sat. night, we have 3 other kids staying with us, while their parents are in Maryland. Jo-Jo, who is 6, Nathan, who is 10, and Kylee, who is 13. They've been good. I also watched my friends little 8 mo. old on Thurs. while she moved.

Wed. I cleaned the house pretty good and did about 7 loads of laundry. It's only taken about 2 + years for me to finally figure out how to put fabric softener in our type of washing machine. But, WOW, it makes a difference! I also cooked up 8 lbs. of Taco Meat, then canned it for our 3 mo. supply for taco's. I still need to can a few more jars.

Tue., Dan and I went early to vote. Yea on 102 and 8!!!! I made cupcakes for Elijah's class, for his birthday, chocolate chocolate. Then we made a white on white cake with sprinkles for Isaac's birthday. They both wanted pizza for dinner, so we got Papa John's, (they had a carry out special for 1 lg. for $6.99.)

I can't remember what else I've done past that, without looking at my calendar to remind me. I'm so sad.

Jacob, is now 8 and in scouts and getting baptized on Sat. Elijah, is now 6 and Isaac, is 4. Can't believe Michael will be 1 in a couple of weeks. Amber too.

We look forward to seeing everyone who is able to make it out for Jacob's baptism. And we will miss those of you who can't make it.

Love you!

Dori

Happy Conference Day!

2008-10-04T17:23:00.000-07:00

Dearest Family,

It was good to talk with each of you & learn how you are doing & what's new in your life. It certainly has it's challenges but we have much to be thankful for. I am listening to the latest church CD called Called to Serve & really enjoying it! The sky is blue with a smattering of clouds all around. Don't think it knows just what it really wants to do outside today! Garry got his hair cut & then went on over to the Mission Valley Stake Center to listen to the Priesthood Session. I'm anxious to know what is being said at this time for us to prepare for. Perhaps it's still the same things since we haven't all mastered the ones they've been saying for so long. I am anxious to really get our food storage squared away. It is a work in progress for at least the 3 month " Must Have" supply (we are on our way with los of canned goods but need to do the wheat, flour & other essentials). We have the 72 hr packs in the house & 1 in each car. Did you guys eat yours today so that you can rotate them & keep them fresh? I must admit I didn't but the weekend isn't over yet!! I heard that a lot of folks do that & it's easier to remember when you did it if it's every Conference.

Well Darlings All - I am going to try to get some more of the Book of Mormon read as I am taking the challenge from our Stake President, Pres. Spring, to re-read the Book of Mormon by our Stake Conference the first weekend of November. I am enjoying it thoroughly once again.

I'm very grateful to my Father in Heaven for each of you & look forward to seeing your smiling faces & dancing eyes once again. I continually keep you in my prayers & my heart. I will forever love to hear "Steal Away" because I can see you skating to it on the old patio & your creative routines!! Love you so!

Heavens Blessing to ya...

Mom

2008-09-13T16:44:00.000-07:00

Hey These are GREAT!!! Can't believe she is walking. Garry says, don't let her start walking yet!! Hold her down!! It was good to see some of both of you, too. She is such a doll babe. Thank you so much for sharing the pics & vids with all of us. We are trying to get our things done today that we would normally have done throughout the week. We are very happy in our mission, and come home with a tired but satisfied feeling having done what we could to aid the missionaries in their service. It is rewarding & so easy to get caught up in that we spend sometimes 10 hours a day before we get home. Hope you have a save flight, Nick, & I'm glad that you & Amber are doing so well, too., Crys. Glad you have such good friends that you can count on, as well. I hope this makes it to the blog...

Love forever,

Mom & Garry

Ambers' walking!!!

2008-09-13T14:09:00.000-07:00

So here are a few pictures and videos of Amber. I can't believe she is growing up so fast! She turned 10 months on Friday. It's just going too fast!!! Like usual, not his fault, but Nick is gone again for a week. This time he is going between Travis AFB, in northern CA, Hawaii and Japan. He leaves for Qatar again the 13th of October, so we're hoping he won't have to make another trip when he gets home. We'll see though...who knows?! Anyway, here's the pics and vids. Love you all!

Love, Crys

An update...

2008-08-24T22:37:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone!
I know I haven't posted anything for quite some time. Sorry about that. I realize everyone is sooo busy, especially with all the hospital stays and Utahnas' treatments. I just wanted to update everyone on how things are going here.

Like Nick has posted, he is home FINALLY!!! YAY!!!! It's been so nice having him here and feeling like were a family again. I guess I just get so into my own routine with Amber and the boys, that I didn't really realize how much I missed him. I like having him here. And being married to him! :) Since being home from CA, we've had our fair share of ups and downs. Amber and I have been sick a few different times, which is quite rare for me and hopefully for her as well. We both had an upper respitory infection and were on antibiotics. Nick was pretty sick for the first week he got home. It's something about the time change and all the flying that just wares and tears on his body. PLUS...he's finally able to just relax and so his body lets him know it needs the break. :) Also, our dogs were attacked by a pit bull and protected Amber and I from being attacked. Gotta love them!!!

Nick had to go on that Human Remains mission last week, and actually posted a link to see a video of the plane in Guam. I HIGHLY recommend seeing it. :) he leaves again this week for another mission. This one is a areomed evac mission. It's strange to be doing all these jobs as a boom, but it's a GREAT thing for his career and actually helps with his chances on getting tha scholarship to go to school full time and not be deployed anymore. We're still hoping that works out.

Amber is amazing!!! She is so big now that is has become quite depressing I might add. She is sooo smart and is saying so many words that I haven't even tried teaching her. She has just picked up on them and says them. Her latest one is "Gog"!!! (Dog, for the boys) She also has decided that she'd rather have Nick change her diaper and me play with her while he is, because she grabs a diaper from her pile and hands it to Nick and says "Dada"! Apparently her word for diaper is Dada...which I LOVE!!! She also crawls through out the house saying, "Mama" and "No" and "Dada" and "Hi" and whatever else her little heart desires and she has figured out to say. She is SOOO funny. Anything that she can do to make us laugh or get our attention, she does. Even to the point of her doing something she's not allowed to do and knows that she's not allowed. She will crawl over to the entertainment center and grab onto the tv and say "Mom"...until I look and tell her to "sit on her bum!" She will "sing" as loud as she can to make sure we know that she is still there. She's getting another tooth on the top of her mouth. She's been pretty sad sometimes, but is our little trooper.

As for me, I've been feeling pretty sick this past week. I've had a constant migraine for about 4 days and a headache when the migraine subsides. It's been kinda rough. THis weekend I got pretty sick with a sore throat and achey, crampy legs. I thought it was just the flu, but there's a chance that it might be West Nile Fever. I have a few tests to do, but since it's just the fever and not the virus, I should be able to recover from it on my own, with just meds for the symptoms. Here in ND, it is RIDICULIOUSLY common. 6 out of 10 mosquito bites carry the WNV. I won't have to have a vaccine for it since it's just the fever. Kinda sucks, but I'll survive! Anyway, I love you all. Hope things are going alright with everyone.

I hope you are feeling better Utahna and that your strength retursns soon. And I also hope that little Michael is feeling better and that Dori and Dan don't have to spend anymore time in the hospital for a VERY LONG TIME!!! Good luck with the mission Mom and Garry and know that I'm proud of you for serving so faithfully. I hope works going well for too Cheryl and that you're feeling happy and appreciated. Talk with you all soon. Love you!!!

Love, Crys

I'm back again, for now at least.

2008-08-22T10:32:00.001-07:00

Just got back from Guam to deliver a fallen Navy corpsman home. It was a pretty somber mission compared to most. We also had his father and one of his friends fly with us. The soldier was twenty five years old. He was married and had a kid. He was killed in an i.e.d. explosion. The news in Guam filmed us coming home. You'll see me in it. I think I'm like the second to the left. The reason they spray the airplane when we came in is to symbolize a sailor being buried at sea.

here's the link http://www.varietynews.com/news/29637.mp4

Nick

Hello everyone!

2008-08-09T11:18:00.000-07:00

Yes I'm home finally. Sorry its taken me so long to post, it's no excuse but i've been feeling pretty sick this past week. I don't know why but whenever I change time zones by a lot i get sick. Oh well, guess that's going to do me well in this job hehe. This week has been very nice, they give us a week off when we come home from deployment. Its nice just to rest and not fly so much. Though in between now and the next deployment i'll be going what they call tdy, it stands for temporary duty. I can go anywhere from alaska to australia, or from italy to hungary. Mostly tdy's last from 3 to 7 days. So I will still be busy flying around unfortunatly. I will be able to see some pretty cool places though I'll be missing out on some really fun family time.

Crys, as you have already seen, has been doing an amazing job raising and teaching Amber. She has changed so much, she's like a real person now. She doesn't just sit there and make noises every now and then. Now she is everywhere all the time. Luckily she's singing wherever she goes so we always know where she is. She's so tough too, she rarely cries because she has fallen down or something like that, but take away something she wanted or tell her no and she might shed a few tears. :( She's pretty freaking cute though.

Our dogs are as crazy as ever but we have them hooked up outside now which makes them and us much happier. Kodah is 85 pounds and 9 months old, he's the brawn. Jake is 65 pounds and 2 and a half years old, he's deffinetly the brains. Kodahs really sweet but really dumb, though he's starting to learn. Jakes a pretty good teacher. We did have to get Kodah a shock collar because when he's outside he has this annoying yappy bark. When he barks once is shocks him on low and for every bark after the first within 7 seconds the shock value will increase. He barked three times in a row before he realized what was going on and jumped straight into the air yelping. It was sad but you couldn't help but laugh because he was so "shocked" by it. (Yes that's a pun) He did it again a few times until he finally figured that if he wasn't barking he wasn't being shocked. Now we have a peaceful street again.

On the way back home we had 36 hours on the ground which was very nice. Most crews coming home get min-turned is what they call it. That means they have the minimum time on the ground before they have to take off again, which is 13 hours. Since we had they extra time we made use of it by spending a day in London. It was so much fun. We went to the Westminster Chapel, Big Ben, Parliament and we also road on The Eye. It was pretty amazing. The Eye if you didn't know (i didn't) is a gigantic ferris wheel from which you can see all of London. It was pretty amazing. The deployment definitely was not fun but the way home was.

Its very nice to be home and am not looking forward to the next time i have to go out which I will find out probably on Monday. I love you all.

Love Nick

Old-Timers Disease...

2008-08-06T23:12:00.000-07:00

By the way Cheryl, I'm still waiting for that information I was tryng to get. Just didn't want you to think that I was not on top of it. How goes work? Is this a super busy time of year? Are you somewhat seasonal in scope or always goin' sixty? I was so pleased & proud to know what a big company you work for. I ecxpected it to be somewhat smaller but wow - was I surprised. Tell them I think you are due another raise for all that you put up with!! Hey Chris, I hope that your job is still going great with Panda Express. Garry has taken me there several times & I like their food. I think the Peking Cafe is still my favorite but that's because of multiple items for dinner plates. Do you have the same thing? I grew up on it, too, which makes a big difference! I never really looked at the menu for it - just got the same things that we always get because we like them the best. Good luck with school starting next week & keeping up with super grades this year, particuarly. You can do it! Hope your truck is running well. Stay cool & be all that you can be. We all have confidence in you!

Lots of love,

Mom & Garry

Greeting One & All!

2008-08-06T19:45:00.000-07:00

Just a note or two from us before we watch a DVD of You've Got Mail. I've seen it sooooo many times & now Garry has, too, but he is going to read one of his books while I watch it again.

We are going to be starting our mission on the 13th now as most of you know instead of the 1st as we were first advised. We thought that we were just going in for some OJT before actually starting the 26th or 27th but they are counting from then, evidently. We are looking forward for a chance to serve & this should be a great opportunity. We have been told our responsibilities will be heavy duty - so that should keep us awake while at the computer!! There is a new program that the church has developed for the referrels I'll do & Garry had decided to put all the Missionaries on bikes, so no worries about cars!! Ha Ha.

It was good to be with each of you & look forward to seeing you again, soon. We do truly love each of you & hope that things smooth out in your lives for awhile . You've all been so brave with each of your ups & downs & we are looking forward to a little respite, aye? So grateful that both Dan & Michael came thru their surgeries soooo well. I'll get back in the saddle soon, & get some genalogy names in the computer to enable you to do any whenever you'd like. I've put a few names in on Garry's line that he recently gave to me. It feels so good.

Nick - it's great to have you back home - in the USA & in your sweet families' arms!!! How 'bout that big girl, Amber? Isn't she a trip? Crys, we will keep you in our prayers for Friday's surgery. It will go well & as it should, Sweetheart!

We hope you are having a wonderful time in Hungary, Utahna & Tom. We will take good care of Lexi & Cole, as will everyone else, I'm sure. Look forward to hearing all of the great details!

We love you all - each & every one!

Mom & Garry

He is REALLY on his way!!!

2008-08-02T07:40:00.000-07:00

Just an FYI, Nick is REALLY on his way home. He left Qatar early this morning and should be landing in England sometime soon. He should be home Monday sometime. I'll let everyone know how it goes. Love you!

Crys

Update...as of 12:05 am

2008-07-29T13:10:00.001-07:00

Ok...so latest update...as of 12:05 this morning. Nick is still coming home this weekend. But I am not holding my breath at all. I'll wait to hear from him in England and know that he's on his way! :) I love you all and hope things are going well. Oh...this afternoon Amber said her first word...other than Mommy. Too bad it was "NO!!!!" (while shaking her tiny little head!) It was so cute that I started laughing. But mind you, it's her first time. I know very soon it will be far from cute! Anyway, love you all...be happy!

Love, Crys

ANYONE...Anyone....anyone.....

2008-07-25T09:01:00.000-07:00

HELLO....HELLO....HELLO.....
ANYONE OUT THERE?.....OUT THERE...OUT THERE....

I don't have anything interesting to say, but thought I'd say something anyway. This is the boys last week of summer break coming up. Elijah starts kindergarten! I think he is really going to like it and I think Isaac will enjoy some one on one time. Elijah will only be going 1/2 day, so I don't think Isaac will struggle to much. I'm going to be watching a kid on Monday's. That will give me a little play money. A massage here or a pedicure there. :) Good luck Crys, with the Biopsy and Nick getting home. Good luck Mom and Garry with your Service Mission. Good luck Utahna, getting ready for your FUN trip. Good luck Cheryl, with work.
Love-
Dori

Waddaya know? Two in a row! :)

2008-07-02T01:12:00.000-07:00

Hello again, Family--

As you can see, I'm up late the night before the big day. (or should I say early the SAME day). I just wanted to thank you all for your love and support and for your prayers on my behalf. I know it's going to be a tough summer, but I'll get through it and will be stronger because of it. Thank you for your unwavering love and offers of support and encouragement. I can't wait to see you, my sisters, next week either. I hope I won't be too drugged up from the painkillers and will be decent company. Notice I said 'company'; not hostess. I promise I will 'chill' and not stress about what I or my house looks like when I see you!

Travel safely, Dori and Cheryl and families! Crys, it was so good to see you and Amber today! What fun you all are going to have together next week. You travel safely to see Nick's family, too, Crys! Mom, thanks for lunch and great to spend some time with you today, too. Garry, hope the deck is near finished and you can relax and move onto your next project! :):)

Love you all! I'll talk to you in a few days!! Thanks for being my family!

xoxoxxo

Utahna

2008-06-24T09:12:00.000-07:00

Hi Family!

Sorry I have been so lame in not getting on the family blog recently. Been a bit busy. But thoroughly enjoyed catching up and seeing all of the wonderful pictures and blogs from everyone.

I hope you are all doing well and I just wanted to say "Hello" and tell you I commented on your recent blogs--in case you had given up on me and figured I missed them.

I hope you all have a wonderful day and I will talk to you all soon!

The clock is ticking, Crys and Amber!! :):) (literally on the blog before mine!!)

Love you all,

Utahna

San Diego!!!

2008-06-22T12:06:00.001-07:00

NORTH DAKOTA TRIP

2008-06-18T10:54:00.000-07:00

MICHAEL AND I HAD TONS OF FUN!!!
(With paychecks come pictures! :))

Our 1st night there in North Dakota.
Amber and Michael are just loving, finally, being with each other!!

Saturday, we went to breakfast, the store, played,
and went to the water park! Tons of fun!!

They were exhausted!!
They fell asleep in the car.

Sunday, after church. (I'm sorry Crys, I couldn't figure out how to flip it,
but you look cute sideways too.) Bottom - Amber is getting my nose. She likes me. :)

Pictures with the Aunt's and Mom's. Just hanging out in the hallway.

Dinner at Chili's before we left. (Michael is saying, "Give me some more!"

Saying Good Bye at the Airport. :(

HE SLEEPS!!

SHE SLEEPS!

Thanks again for everyone who made this trip possible! We love you! Can't wait to see you and get more pictures, with everyone!

Love-
Dori and Michael

PROJECTS AT THE GLENN'S

2008-06-18T09:37:00.000-07:00

Okay, apparently it's been to long since I really posted, because my finger hit the enter key before I got to put anything. SORRY!!!

Anyways, I took some pictures of some of the projects we had going on towards the end of the school year. I know kind of lame, but I took them with a blog posting in mind. HE! HE! :o)

This was the Garden box we build for our "Garden". Like always, it was a learning experience. This was the first real garden we tried since living here in Az. We will do some tweaking before next season. Elijah was very excited to pick our 1st Zucchini.

We finally got the trampoline in the ground. It makes it much easier for everyone to get on and off. Plus the HOA doesn't see it, so they can't complain. FYI - the grass is much greener now. The poor grass took a beating during the whole process. I fertilized and reseeded, so it looks much better. I'll have to take another picture.

I bought this 3 ring binder to hold all my "Special Cards", I've been saving over the years. I like to read them periodically and it makes me feel loved. Thank you to each of you, because I have something in there from all of you. Maybe not everyone you've sent, but several of them. :)

After Utahna told me about not drinking the water left in your water bottles that were left in your car. I figured, here in Az., the garage might not be such a great idea either. Especially in the summer time. So I moved some things around in the playroom closet and stacked 3 months worth (for our family). If you watch for the sales, you can often get a case of 24 water bottles between $2.50 - $3.99. Costco is also a great place to get them. Our stake has encouraged us to have "portable" water. (5 gal. jugs can work too.)

This was my project for the playroom. I build this long table to maximize the space. This way we are able to put toy bins or what have you on the ground, and still have a place for them to play on top. Plus it seems to be the perfect height for them.

Here are a few of the projects that helped to keep me busy, since I get so-o-o-o bored with no-th-ing to do. LOL! But honestly, I love doing projects, it helps me to feel a sense of accomplishment. Some how counting the number of diapers I've changed or disputes I've refereed doesn't really do it for me. Don't get me wrong. I LOVE MY JOB AS A MOM!!! But I have to have some hobbies too. Apparently, projects are my thing. :)

Love you! Can't wait to see you all soon!

A blog from Nick...

2008-06-15T21:06:00.000-07:00

Hi family,
Since Nick can't get on any of the blogs while he's deployed, I'm gonna post one from him. These pictures are from the Internet; since he can't take pictures while he's deployed. But they're of places he's flown over recently that he REALLY LIKED and was telling me all about this past week. It's Dubai (that's the place I was telling you, Mom and Garry, about and couldn't remember the name). It's a group of man made islands that they are building that is a visual replica of the worlds continents. As you can see! The islands are going to be filled with resorts you can travel to and some are for sell to be used as private islands. Nick jokingly said, he put an offer on a few and is waiting to hear back from the real estate agent. Yeah...like that'll ever happen! He did say that he would love to take us there on a vacation sometime when they are finished. The other picture is of a skyscraper on one of the islands that is going to be condos. Crazy how some people live, huh?! As for me, especially right now, I'd like to stay living in America. But who knows if that's going to happen. You never know...we might be stationed somewhere in Europe or Asia next. Anyway, I found these online and thought they looked amazing and wanted to share them with you. Nick said they look so awesome in person. Almost surreal. But, I hope everyone had a great Fathers' Day and good weekend on top of that. Love you all and look forward to the coming month. Hehe...sooo close! :)

Love, Crys

Happy Fathers' Day!!!

2008-06-15T08:12:00.000-07:00

Happy Fathers Day!!!

Just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Fathers' Day!!! We love you and can't wait to see you all in about 3 weeks. Woohoo!!!

2008-06-13T23:03:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to say,

I LOVE YOU!!

And make a post. :)
Thought this picture was perfect!

Amber pullin herself up on me :)

2008-06-12T12:43:00.001-07:00

A few pictures of Amber pulling herself up on me and some of her standing. She's trying to stand at 7 months...tell me that's not normal?!

Things I'm grateful for:

2008-06-12T10:57:00.000-07:00

Hello family,
So...with recent events of this week, I figured I needed to take a few moments to be happy and grateful! So, here's my list:

1. This morning I woke up to a call from Nick!!! Yay...good morning to me!

2. Amber and I are safe from the tornado that came through Grand Forks county.

3. The boys are safe and were AMAZING during the tornado.
(They were quiet and protective. When Amber tried to crawl out of the hall we were
taking shelter in, Jake stood in her way and would not let her leave the hall! He knew...)

4. Nick is safe and in an area where they are friendly to Americans. They are grateful
we're there to help!

5. We have food and food storage. Thank you Dori for ALWAYS encouraging me to be
prepared!

6. All of my sisters are alive and safe!

7. My Mom and step-dad are safe and doing things they need to do to improve their
health.

8. Utahna was smart and strong enough to catch the cancer at an early stage and is taking
necessary, although hard, steps to insure she will be with us for a long time. She is an
amazing woman who is so intelligent, feminine, optimistic and loving to others.

9. Cheryl is compassionate, sensitive, loving, strong, willing, independent and amazing. I
HAVE NEVER MET ANYONE MORE LOVING AND KIND TO ANIMALS!!! What an amazing quality!!!

10. Dori's strength gives me hope. Her willingness to obey inspires me to be a better
person in life and the life to come. Her unwaivering love for her children is amazing!
She has such an ability to make me laugh. I love that!

11. I have the gospel in my life and know that wherever we go, the truth is there and there
are kind people ready and willing to help.

12. My ward and their kindness to us. Especially the Relief Society presidency.

13. Tiffany, my neighbor and friend out here in this "peculiar" (not in the good way) state
of North Dakota.

14. For the sunshine today! No rain or snow...I'll take the wind!

15. My AMAZING niece and nephews. They're all so smart and growing up so fast! I feel like I've missed so much of their life living away from everyone. But I'm grateful for pictures and stories about them. I feel like I'm there...in a way. :)

16. My BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTER Amber! She is the most amazing gift that I have ever been given. She brings such joy and happiness to my life. I am SOOO GRATEFUL that I can stay home with her and see all her skills improve everyday. She is growing so fast! I love seeing her smile. It can make the coldest day of the year feel warm! I can't wait to see her sitting on the beach playing with the sand and feeling the water. I am sooo excited!!!

Man...there are so many things to be grateful for. I just have to take the time to sit and think about them. I am so excited to come to San Diego in 3 weeks. I can't wait to see all of you. It's the highlight of my year. I love you all sooo much. I hope you know that! Please don't forget that when times get rough. Life is hard! There is no denying that. But, we are a family and are meant to strengthen each other in our times of need. I am here for everyone! You all mean so much to me. Thank you for being my family and putting up with me all these 24 years. :) I love you!!!

Recent pictures of Amber bamber!!!

2008-06-06T11:26:00.001-07:00

So here are a few more pictures of Amber that are pretty recent. Her bottom two teeth are pokin' through the gums finally and if you catch her in a big grin, you can see them! We're doing alright in Nicks absence. We SURE MIS HIM!!! But, know he is busy and are grateful for his safety daily. He is doing well. He really likes his crew that he's flying with. He says they're pretty sharp and that they have quite a bit of fun. I'm so glad for him! Hopefully we'll hear from him this weekend. I love you all and can't wait to see you all in just a few short weeks. I CAN'T WAIT!!! Woohoo...:) :) :) Anyway, hope everyone is doing well. We love you Utahna and pray for you in all our prayers. Stay strong and know you belong here with us all. :) We're not givin' you up that easily!!! Love you!

Love, Crys and Amber

passed out in her swing at nap time ;)

passed out in her bed...gotta love the bum in the air :)

makin' funny faces at Mommy :)

Tiny little tongue:)

My sleepin' angel

REALLY ENJOYING her peaches :)

Our little picnic on the grass

She's proud of Daddy too

Big hugs and kisses for everyone :) :) :) I love it!!!

Our fun weekend!

2008-06-06T08:17:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone! As you all know, last weekend I had an awesome surprise. Dori and Michael came out last minute to visit with us and keep us company! It was so much fun. I appreciate Dori so much for making the trip and especially with all the struggles she went through to get here. I KNOW she loves me for sure now! :) Anyway, I wanted to post some pictures of our weekend. On Saturday night, we went to the waterpark and had so much fun! Looking over the pictures I took I realized I didn't get one of Dori, with Amber, Michael or one by herself. I wish I did. But I know Dori did, so I'm not too worried. :) Here are a few of the pictures. They're pretty cute!!!

There will be more to come! Love you all!!! :)

Day 1...without Nick :(

2008-05-28T20:45:00.000-07:00

So, today should have been pretty uneventful. It was the first full day without Nick. I still haven't heard from him, but I'm not really worried. I know he'll call whenever he can. I also know that if something was wrong, like the unthinkable, I would know by now. The Commander or someone would have told me. So, I'm not thinking anything like that. I'm just hoping his flight to Qatar went well. And that he gets some needed rest before he's up refueling. Today is actually our 3 year anniversary of marriage. We celebrated it this past weekend and even went on our first date with out Amber. My friend Tiffany watched her for us so we could go to dinner and a movie. It was nice to sit next to Nick at dinner. That's something I didn't realize we hadn't done for a while. One of us is always next to her in a booth. So, that was nice. Anyway, Amber and I went to dinner tonight to celebrate us being married! Yay!!! 3 years. Hopefully many more to come. When we left, I put the boys, Jake and Kodah outside so they could play and be out in the sun! Since we did that a few days ago, they are loving it! While I was gone, somehow Jake got off the chain. Normally he would run and be gone...until he decided to come home. Sometimes hours later. But apparently he didn't this time. My friend/ neighbor Tiffany called me and said that Jake was just laying next to Kodah on the grass, and when she pulled in the driveway he came over to her and let her get a hold of him. That is VERY RARE. Normally we have to have food before he even lets us get close to him. It's just his breed. (So we're told!) He let her put him back on the chain and called me to let me know. I was SOOOO proud of him. I really couldn't deal with it if Jake was gone. He was there with me last time Nick was gone for all that time. He is such and amazing dog and so great with Amber. I really believe he is helping Kodah and teaching him that he gets treats and love when he does good things. They are both awesome dogs! I love 'em to death. When we got home, Amber was a little sad. Since we left Nick at the base yesterday, she has been a little sad and extremely clingy. She doesn't want to sleep but is so tired. Luckily when she finally falls asleep, she stays asleep. It's just the getting her to sleep that's hard! I am so glad I have her this time around while Nick is gone. She gives me purpose, let alone keeps me busy. :) That little girl is movin' around like crazy. Poor baby girl has rug burns on her knees from trying to crawl. She's sooo close. I was almost expecting her to start today since Nick left yesterday. That's just how things seem to work sometimes, am I right?! Anyway, we took some cute pics of her today. Of course we have to show some love for Daddy! She totally knows who I am talking about when I say Daddy. She just giggles and smiles this crazy little smile she's been doing lately. She smiles so big you can't see her eyes because her cheeks are so big. It's so cute, I love it. Anyway, hope you all enjoy them. Love you!

Love, Crys

Not too happy...
Then I said, "Daddy loves you!"
The she smiled and was happy! We love you Daddy!

2008-05-26T15:57:00.000-07:00

Hey Everyone--

Sorry I had/have such bummer news to share. I don't want it to affect the positive, happiness of the blog, though! This has been such a great tool for us to become closer as a family and I am very grateful for that!

I love you all sooooo much and know in my heart that everything is going to work out fine. Please don't worry too much--I know that is an impossible thing to ask. I just hate that having to share this news has put a damper on everyone. I know how it feels to hear news like this about someone you care about and then feel helpless. It's a very frustrating feeling. Just know that I know your prayers on my behalf will work and I have faith that God's plan for me is not up yet!! All of you have faith in that, too! Here's a thought.... if the plan was that it was time for me to go......then God would not have let me find it so early while it is so small and so treatable. As Lexi said to me, "This is just all part of your test, Mommy." And I truly believe that.

I love you guys so much and again I'm sorry to burden you with this news and contribute to the helpless feeling that it brings. I'm still looking forward to seeing everyone in July!! I'm still going to see you all, no matter what treatment option I will be in the middle of doing. I'll keep you posted as soon as I get more information!

Love you tons and tons,

Utahna

TIP for bedrooms

2008-05-22T22:39:00.000-07:00

I got this book, as some of you know, "Project Organization". It's great! I love it. It has helpful, practical, advice. So I thought I'd share one of the things it said and can testify that it's true. :) She said to go around and make the beds and shut the closet doors. I can't believe what a HUGE difference these 2 things make. Even just the shutting of the closet door. I've been trying to tell the boys this; I guess we'll work on it more this summer. Anyways, thought I'd just share one of the great tips I got from this book. I got the book at Deseret Book. Have a great day!

Love ya-
Dori

July is almost here!!!

2008-05-20T16:30:00.001-07:00

Yay!!!
Just wanted to let everyone know that we just bought our plane ticket for July!!! Woohoo...we really are coming. I'm so excited! Love you all. :)

:) Crys

Fun in the water!!!

2008-05-18T17:03:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone!
Yesterday we went, as a family, to an indoor water park. It was sooo much fun! Amber had a lot of fun. She is definitely a water baby. She loves the bath and shower. We thought she'd have fun! Nick and I had a blast taking turns holding her while the other one went down the "grown up" slides. We both think it will be even more fun when she's a little older. With Nick leaving in a week for deployment we're trying to play as much as possible!!! He leaves the 27th for 2 1/2 months and will be in Qatar. Closer than we'd like but far enough away I'm not gonna freak out...all the time! :) He will be so busy flying. From what we understand, it will be about 6 days a week, 12 hours on 12 hours off. We look forward to being able to talk whenever we get the chance. Anyway, I just wanted to share some pictures from the water park. It got me even more excited for July!!! Love you guys! See ya soon!

Love,
Crys

Our little family!!!
Standing up with Daddy!!!

Mommy and Amber
In her little bucket

I love it!!!

CELEBRATING BIRTHDAY'S

2008-05-17T13:38:00.000-07:00

I was thinking, maybe we should celebrate everyone's birthday from Jan. thru Aug. during our Family Reunion. I mentioned it to Utahna and she recommended bringing a cake from Costco up on our 1st night to celebrate, then we'd have something to snack on the rest of the weekend too. I thought that was a great idea. We'd celebrate Cheryl's, Crys', Nick's, Joseph's, Lexi's, Mom's, Garry's, and Chris' Birthday. Then we'd have to get together during the fall or winter and celebrate everyone else's? What do you think? (Jacob is turning 8 this October so maybe for his baptism the first weekend in Nov. We can talk about that later.) Can't wait until July!!! :)

Just saying Hi!

2008-05-15T12:56:00.001-07:00

Well, although I don't have any new pics to post, I just wanted to say Hello to everyone and tell you that I hope your week is going well! Some good news to share: First, Tom's Boys Swim Team at La Jolla came in 1st place at the City Conference Finals and his Girl's came in 2nd! They now head tonight to the Semi-Finals for CIF and then CIF Finals on Saturday. Should be exciting as they have a chance to pull off a win for CIF, too. I, personally, will be glad when Swim season is over and we only have year-round water polo on the schedule. I'm so looking forward to summer!

More good news: In case you didn't hear, Gov. Swartz...Terminator has changed his original budget proposal that was cutting billions from Education and putting my job on the line! Now, he is proposing another solution (still to be approved by the legislature and the voters of CA) that gives me a better chance of being able to stay doing this particular job instead of being put back in the classroom. So, that is better news than I had a while back! I'll keep you posted on more changes that affect me. (I will say quickly, that I am grateful to have a job regardless--because there are many people that are losing their jobs! I don't mean to sound greedy--I'm just happy if I get to keep doing what I am doing because I really love it and feel like I make a difference for kids in this position!)

Okay...... enough soap box! Want to let you all know that I love you!

Happy Thursday!

xoxoxoxoxoxxo

Utahna

Happy Mother's Day...almost!!!

2008-05-10T08:10:00.000-07:00

Hi Family!

2008-05-09T13:53:00.000-07:00

Something seems to be wrong because I just lost my paragraph I wrote!!!! Oh well! Moving on....

Anyway, here are a few pictures of the kids and I from last night.

Hope everyone is well and that you have a wonderful weekend and Mother's Day!!

xoxoxo

Utahna

Told y'all I love pictures! Hehe 8 )

2008-05-05T10:58:00.000-07:00

Here's some of Amber with "the boys" like I promised Utahna I'd put up. Love you!
~ Crys

Sitting up looking at her puppies!

Looking at Daddy!

Kodah on the left, Jake on the right :)

Funny faces for both!

Sitting with her little buddies!
I couldn't have asked for better dogs...especially with Amber! :)

More pictures to share! :)

2008-05-05T10:57:00.000-07:00

Hi Family,

Here are a few more pictures promised that are more "up to date."

We had some visitors in our pool over the weekend--two ducks! Not sure where they came from but they visited on Sat. morning, left, and then came back that evening. Trippy! Hope they don't get sick from the chlorine. We won't get sick from them because we ain't going in that cold water for a long time to come!!!!

Lexi and Cole are also pictured with their good buds, Morgan and Micah, from Saturday night when they came over for a few hours. I also added one of Lexi and Cole from yesterday after church.

Hope you all have a great Monday!

xoxoxo

Utahna

Some old pictures!

2008-05-05T10:18:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone!
So Utahna inspired me to go through some old picture folders I have. And I found some pics I thought you'd all like. Love ya!

Love, Crys

Care to smile anyone? :)

2008-05-03T20:38:00.001-07:00

I was looking through our picture files and came across some that are pretty cute and special!

Sooooo, check out the munchkins in the bathtub! Quite a while back! There are 2 more Glenn boys in the picture now--well, not this picture--but the picture of our lives!!!! :)

Check out sexy Crys--Utah Crys! This was taken at Dan and Dori's in Utah! Had you just met Nick? (sorry-I don't know how to turn it right side up!)

Then we have a cuddly picture of Lexi and Joseph! Just like little Angels!!! What happened? Just kidding.... :):)

Finally we have a picture of my family on a very special day for us! Wanted to share it if you hadn't seen it yet.

Love you all! Sorry I don't have more frequent ones yet. I'll send some newer ones this week.

xoxoxox

Utahna

Look in their eyes...

2008-05-03T10:32:00.000-07:00

I was just looking at the pictures of Michael & Amber & if you put it just right on the computer you can see both their faces at the same time & lookiing into their eyes - they are expecially heaven sent. I know that they knew each other in heaven & said. "Ill catch ya down on earth. I'm so glad we get to be cousins!! We are goinna have great, wonderful mother's and Aunts that love us & grandparents that think we're the "Cat's Meow!!" All too true. We are a hapypy family!

Love you all,

Mom

New camera :)

2008-05-03T09:30:00.000-07:00

Ok...I know I was the last one to post, but we just got our new camera and of course took more pictures of Amber. So, thought I'd post them for everyone to see. Love you all! Hope you're having a great weekend. See ya soon! Two months away...and counting down! :)

Love, Crys

2008-04-30T13:03:00.000-07:00

I can't explain how much Amber means to me and the joy she brings me everyday! You all have children of your own, so I know you all know. It's just so real to me lately! It's amazing! I love you all so much and am so excited about Palm Springs. See you soon!

Love, Crys

Michael's 1st Hair Cut

2008-04-28T22:59:00.000-07:00

After I re-read what I wrote about the hike and the incorrect grammar I used. I'm kind of afraid to write anything else. Especially late at night. :) But here goes anyway. I thought everyone could use some pictures for Tuesday. These was actually taken the last Sunday in March ( week before conference.) And I had to give him another hair cut last Saturday. The front was in his eyes. The first hair cut was mainly to cut the hair above his ears, they had passed his earlobes. Love you! Enjoy.

Video!!!

2008-04-27T12:00:00.000-07:00

Just a cute video of Amber sitting up playing! Love you all!

Crys

So blessed...

2008-04-27T01:36:00.001-07:00

Just a quick note to tell each of you how very blessed we feel we are to have you for our family & thank each of you for being the special spirits that you are. I read recently that you can always tell the importance of anything by the amount of direct opposition to its accomplishment. Well, each of you are sooooo very important & need to know that. You need to know that we need each of you to make our family all that it can be. We seem to have our share of challenges, don't we but we are always loved & cared for by our Father in Heaven. He will give each of us the strength we need, when we need it. Each of you have always been a blessing to each member of your family in a million ways. We wouldn't be complete without every single one of you!

I just couldn't go into bed without letting you know that you give my life meaning & I'm both proud & grateful to be your Mother & Grandmother & yes, Mother-in-law!! Guess I need to crash as I have a lesson to teach the YW tomorrow on extended families & how special they are & why they/we should cultivate an on-going association to bring us memories to last throughout our lives. It's a perfect lesson & you can believe I am going to bring up our Family Reunion!

Sweet Dreams!

Your Mom

P.S. Garry sends his love & prayers, too!

Our Family Hike

2008-04-26T21:45:00.000-07:00

Dan and I decided that our family needed some family time, without friends. So we decided to go on a hike to Silly Mountain. It was the first hike with all of us. We figured we needed to start finding things that really don't cost that much. :)

This was the beginning of our adventure. Everyone had a buddy. Jacob and Elijah, Dan and Joseph, and Isaac and Michael were with me. Obviously I stepped back to take the picture.

This picture is of me with all the boys when we got to the top. Superstition Mountain is in the back. Everyone still doing great and happy!

Joseph took this picture of Dan, Michael, and I. My boys are getting pretty good at getting us in the pictures. Maybe I'll start having more of me with Dan. :)

And of course, what do all boys do out in the wilderness.......pee. (I hope I don't offend anyone with this picture. I just thought I'd share my boys in all their glory.)

Then we stopped and had the lunches we all carried in. We were in clean-up mode at this point. Yes, Dan used the end of a golf club for his walking stick.

Everyone had a good time. In fact, Joseph and Jacob commented on the way back, that they thought it was going to be boring, but it was fun. That is what every parent wants to hear after they force their children to do something they initially don't want too. We hiked for about 2 hrs. and went about 3 miles. You can only go as fast as the slowest person. :)) Isaac did awesome!!!
I'm not really interested in going hiking until the fall. I just assume leave the snakes be.

Love you guys!

Dori

Another cold day in North Dakota!

2008-04-26T12:20:00.000-07:00

Hi family!
Just thinking about everyone and was hoping you were all having a good weekend. Things are ok here. We woke up to 5 inches of snow again. Man...they really weren't kidding when they said not to put your plants out until after Memorial Day. "In case" of snow. And from what we're told, it starts getting cold and snowing in September. So...good thing we don't have to be here forever. Can't wait to be by our family and friends. ( And preferably the beach! ) :) Anyway, I love you all. Looking forward to seeing you this summer. Have a great weekend!

Love, Crys

RE: Blog privacy

2008-04-24T14:59:00.000-07:00

As I'm sure most of you have spoken with Mom, you all know about how the blog was open for anyone to read. I had it set up that way so our family who had not yet joined the blog as authors, could read it. I had completely forgotten that it was considered an open blog. After speaking with Mom, I came right into the blog and made our site private. That way NO ONE can even read it, let alone post comments or add posts themselves. I just wanted you all to know. I'm sorry I put our privacy in jeopardy. I love you all and apologize.

Crys

Can't seem to stay away from the enter key...

2008-04-23T23:03:00.002-07:00

Hi Sweet Family,

Hope you are all doing very well with your sweet families. Just a brief day here on the home front. We had 3 hits today on credit thru Home Depot. Because Citicorp Credit was on top of things & I had not used my card since 2003 to do the floors in the kitchen, they called to see if I had charged anything today. Of course, we had not, so they put a block on it; got out the videos of the two Asian men who used the acct. to buy 2 $500 gift cards , a barbeque, work gloves, a screwdriver & some cement ($1266.66). That was down at the Fairmount & Mission Gorge area & then they went up to the Lemon Grove Home Depot ($1500.00) but the information didn't seem to jive & by that time there was a block on it from an email saying it was a stolen card (the Fairmount store jumped right on it to its 20 local Home Depots). There was some additional information obtained that will be released to the police & low & behold, since that hadn't worked to their liking, they called in to have their closed acct/card reopened over the phone. The man couldn't answer all the necessary questions - which is a wonder since he had all the information - but the fraud alert was already in place & so they were unsuccessful. We are hopeful that the videos they have of them - Sammy Ung & friend - that real progress will start to come forth from the police dept. We have to wait until our Officer comes back on duty Sat. pm. to see where he takes it from there. We even have a cell # that was used to call & verify that Sammy was an authorized user on our card. I tell you , these guys were really something! Let's us know that we sure aren't the first with this scam!

We have been truly blessed, we realize, & pray that you will all be the same!

Much Love,

Mom & Garry

One more day down...

2008-04-23T23:03:00.001-07:00

2008-04-22T09:44:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone!

Happy Tuesday. :) I was hoping I could get directions on how to retrieve pictures from the blog to have my own copy? With all of these adorable pictures of my niece and nephews, I'd like to make copies. Please let me know how to do this. I'm sure it's easy but I just don't know where to begin. :)

Thanks,

Utahna

A few of my favorite pictures of Amber!

2008-04-20T21:19:00.001-07:00

I love these pictures! They just make me happy. I wanted to share the joy. Hope everyone had a good weekend. I love you gals! :)

WHAT I WOULDN'T GIVE FOR A DOUGHNUT!

2008-04-17T22:39:00.001-07:00

These pictures were taken at Jacob's Birthday Party last year. Don't they look like they're having fun? YUM! YUM! :) Love you guys! I just thought I'd help with your morning!

Love-
Dori

Thanks for the moral support!

2008-04-17T20:57:00.000-07:00

Dear Family,

We really appreciate your kind words & show of support for our recent dilema. It has been devastationg to say the least & we have really felt vulnerable. I can't really explain how sorry I am for exposing all of you all to any possible problems re: your SSN#. There have been so many times when I needed them for various & sundry things - legal especially -that I have just carried them with me for ages. I never realized what could happen if they got in the wrong hands. I just don't think that way but obviously will have to from now on. We discover each day, more & more things. Today, I realized they got my old passport, my original birth certificate with my feet prints on the side & some of my Dad's papers from when he came over from Scotland. Also, a few other things of his. We have told the neighbors so that they can be on the look out, too. Kids walk up & down this street all the time as well as drivers that don't live down here - maybe they really were checking the place out.

In any event, please know that we are thinking of each of you & sending our love your way. Please keep us in your prayers. We are convinced that the multitude of things that keep going wrong in our lives right now, are Adversarial driven. Especially since we have accepted the Mission Call.

XOXOXO to each daughter, son in law, & grandchild. We miss you all!

Mom & Garry

Thanks for your moral support!

2008-04-17T20:56:00.000-07:00

2008-04-17T16:23:00.000-07:00

Hi guys! In regards to the identity theft stuff: I found that you should call one of the top credit reporting agencies and report a possible identity theft. I called Equifax at 888-766-0008 and did it right over the phone. They will forward the alert on to the other two, Transunion and something like Exteria or however its spelled. Anyhow, I'm going to be looking into what other things can be done, but thought I'd share that if no one else was aware of it.

c ya!

Cheryl

Summer time...finally!!!

2008-04-17T15:45:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone!

I had a few pictures I wanted to share of Amber. It's been so much warmer than it was last week. It's funny! The evening it snowed so much, the snow melted by that afternoon. A miracle!!! And it's been pretty warm, especially for North Dakota. Amber and I have been wearing our summer clothes. I even dared to put some shorts on, which never happens 'cause my legs are neon white!!! But since EVERYONE here has the same issue, I figured it's ok. I fit in!!! But I thought the pictures of Amber in her summer outfit were so cute! I just had to post a few. Love you all. Hope things are going well for all of you! Hey, thanks Dori and Dan for wishing Nick a Happy Birthday! He appreciated it. Talk to ya later!

Love, Crys

RE: Mom's Burglary

2008-04-16T20:47:00.000-07:00

As you know by now, Mom and Garry had a break in, and Mom's day-planner was stolen. Inside the planner were each of the girls' SSN's, with their first name only. Garry's bank has already contacted him regarding attempted new lines of credit under his name...these crooks know what they're doing, and they work fast! ID theft is the #1 crime in the nation, and it is the most difficult to track the crooks because they have gotten the $ and moved on weeks or months before you know what even happened.

To be clear: anyone who has a SSN, and a connection with access a credit checking system (a friend at a bank, credit card collection company, insurance company, or a host of others), can enter the SSN and immediately access credit records with the person's full name, date of birth, address, etc., and then steal their identity. We just wanted to pass this information along so everyone can take the necessary precautions (or in this case, now that your information has been floating around for a couple of days), defensive actions to protect their identity, as well as their spouse's, since a credit check may also include the name and SSN of a listed spouse.

We went on line and signed up for LifeLock (www.lifelock.com). We are not saying that everyone should sign up, but it may be worth looking into. It costs $110/year, per adult in the same household, but includes a $1 Million guarantee that your identity will be kept safe. Here's how it works:

1) drug addict goes to Best Buy with your name and SSN to open a line of credit to purchase a computer to steal more identities.
2) your credit is flagged, and ANY company or bank, etc. desiring to open a new line of credit, or a purchase based on your credit, must contact you first.
3) no contact with you, or unsatisfactory answers to security questions = denial of credit.
4) there is a $1 Million guarantee that your identity will be protected.

Good luck, and may you all be safe (your credit included). Nick, thanks for doing what you do for our country!! And HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-Dan and Dori

Missed "talking" to you over the weekend!

2008-04-14T09:53:00.000-07:00

Hi Guys,

Missed blogging together over the weekend. As an FYI, our plans changed in going to LA because Tom got really sick on Friday night and wasn't up for the drive and socializing still by Saturday afternoon. Mom and Garry were still kind enough to let the kids come and visit so Tom and I had a nice quiet evening Saturday and actually had a chance to have uninterrupted conversation! Thanks, you guys! :)

Also wanted to share some pictures of Lexi and Cole from their water polo tournament Saturday morning. They had fun and we had beautiful weather all weekend! --sorry, Crys :( Mom and Garry made it out to see their game, too!

Anyway, hope you enjoy them! Happy Monday everyone.

Love,

Utahna

Once more with feeling...

2008-04-11T19:35:00.000-07:00

Greetings All,

I just spent awhile writing a blog only to have it not post. How disheartening! The shorter version is: We love all the pictures & things that you write. It seems like we are all right beside each other & we love it. We miss you more with the blog tho we enjoy hearing about each of your days & what's happening in your lives.

We are going to have Lexi & Cole spend the night tomorrow night & go to church with us. We look forward to that - they always add a new dimension to our lives. We haven't heard anything new re: our Mission but may know more after our meeting with Pres. Spring after church. We have paperwork to do on the computer once we have the passwords put on from Bishop McCreary. We are excited & yet there is much to do. We work at it a little each day.

We did get a new HP computer & printer & we are jazzed & anxious to get it set up & going. Maybe tomorrow sometime. It has a 20" monitor & the printer has everything else we could want. Soon we will get an LCD or Plasma 37 or 42" TV. We have been without one now almost 4 months. Garry has read 25 books during this time (3 different series) & yet we talk more & enjoy each others company. Amazing what can happen when the withdrawals have dissipated & you discover there is life after TV. I need to get hopping myself & work on Sunday's YW lesson.

We love each of you dearly & look forward to seeing you soon. Nick, happy upcoming Birthday!

Mom & Garry

I'll try it again!!!!!!

2008-04-11T10:13:00.000-07:00

Wouldn't do it. Here they are typed out!!!

http://www.candlelightmedia.com/emma/showtimes.html

and

http://www.ldslivingonline.com/article.php?articleId=50678

Love to all--Utahna

Quick Break at Recess!

2008-04-11T10:07:00.000-07:00

Hi Guys,

I have a quick break so I wanted to post some website info. for you about the new movie about Emma Hale Smith, if you are interested! It looks awesome! The "candlelight" website lets you see a trailer of the movie. Gave me chills! Think you'll like it.

I'll respond to the WONDERFUL blogs and pictures below on my next break at lunch! Didn't have as much time as I'd like to view the comments and respond. But I was coming to the blog to give you the movie info. and glanced at the other blogs quickly. LOVE this way for us to communicate! Seriously, I'm ADDICTED! Can't wait for when I can steal some time away to get on the blog!!

Here's the website info. below. Let me know if you can't find it. (it's not letting me cut and paste into the blog--it's putting it below.)

Love you all!

--Utahna

COUSINS!!

2008-04-11T08:35:00.000-07:00

I thought it would be fun to have some pictures of cousins!! This is when Amber was here a week after Michael was born. Lexi and Cole were here right after Christmas. Chris was here for Michael's Blessing. (This was the only picture I had where you could see his face a little bit. :) ) My boys absolutely LOVE their cousins. They're always asking when they will get to see them again. I'm so glad we get to be with each other as much as we do. Wish it was more. Hopefully, we will get some good pictures of them this July. :))))))))))

Love you!
Dori

Suppose to be Spring...Haha >:|

2008-04-11T05:34:00.000-07:00

Ok...so this is what I wake up to this morning!!! Mind you YESTERDAY, last night in fact, we all went for a walk. It was chilly but there was NO SNOW!!! Now there is at least six inches of snow. We saw a thing on tv last night for blizzard warning, but it wasn't for our county. So we didn't think anything about it. I went to check on Amber at 5am and saw, to my horror...THIS! UGGHHH!!! So much for it getting better. Anyway, at least I still think it's pretty. Love you all...enjoy your warm sun. :(

Apparently there was a blizzard...whouda thought?!!!

Cutting Pictures OFF The Blog

2008-04-10T12:36:00.000-07:00

Last night I went to show Dan the pictures from the blog, since he hasn't had a chance to see them. I also planned to copy some of the pictures from the blog and paste them to a separate file. But I noticed some of the pictures are gone. Like Chris and his girlfriend, the picture of Cheryl and Michael, and Crys and I holding the babies. By some chance is someone cutting and pasting the pictures, instead of copying? I don't know if there is a way to paste those pictures back up or not. Crys, do you know? I know we all want these pictures. :)

Love-
Dori

Daily Gems!!!

2008-04-10T11:44:00.000-07:00

I get "daily gems" from my mother-in-law usually everyday through email. Todays' was really awesome and I thought I'd share it with you all. Love you!!!

Malachi 3:3 says: 'He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.'

This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God.

One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study.

That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She did n't mention anything about the reason
for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining
Silver

As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire
and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities.

The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then
she thought again about the verse that says: 'He sits as a refiner and
purifier of silver' ;;; She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined.

The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed

The woman was silent for a moment Then she asked the silversmith, 'How do you know when the silver is fully refined?'

He smiled at her and answered,
'Oh, that's easy -- when I see my image in it.'

If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has his eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you.

'Life is a coin. You can spend it anyway you wish, but you can only spend it once.'

I know--Don't blink or you might just miss me!!!

2008-04-10T11:28:00.000-07:00

Hi guys, sorry for not joining with all of you sooner. I don't get on the computer half as much as I use to. too bad we didn't have this when I spent most of my day on line. Oh well, I'll just have to try and do what I can when I can. I have been reading once in a while and love the pictures. I've printed them out to have on my frig. Their all growing up tooo... fast! Heck! Christopher is going to be 17 soon enough. Now that's CraZy!!! I will work on getting some pictures on here. I will have to figure out how to do, that, next!

Take care of ya all!
Cheryl

My Inspired Sisters!

2008-04-09T18:07:00.000-07:00

Man, you guys are being so sweet to me today. I think you guys are all inspired to lift my spirits. Thanks for the sweet comments, pictures, and compliments. They almost makes me feel like I might be doing something right. (At least I have good intentions. :))

Utahna, I think about you almost everytime I have a fresh smoothie or see the Golden Graham box. You're so good to make the kids fresh, healthy smoothies almost everyday, (I wanted to say everyday, but I thought I'd make rrom for the one time the blender broke). The reason I think about you with Golden Grahams is because I remember talking to you once after you made those treats on the box. I can't even tell you how many times I intend to make them, but never get to it. So don't sell yourself short. :)

Crys, I'm so glad I get to talk to you about formula, water, diaper size, baby food, and suggestions for meals. Did everyone know, Crys actually tries different recipies in cookbooks. BRAVE!! She's given me several suggestions. And I think she is doing an awesome job being a mom.

This morning I was remembering how one year I woke up really early to make Cheryl some Coffee Cake for her birthday, before Seminary. I clearly was asleep because I added something like 1 1/4 c. of milk instead of the 1/4 c. milk it called for. I panicked when I saw the consistency. So I went and woke mom up for help. I remember she said let's just add bisquick to thicken it. And it worked. Thanks again for the rescue. Funny how sometimes out of the blue you remember things. Thought I'd just share a couple of them lately. :)

I really enjoy this communication. I get to kind of have a conversation without the constant interruptions. Well, at least none that interfere with all of us and you don't have to hear any of it. :)

Cheryl is really missing out. She needs to get on!!!!

Love you guys!

Dori

Pics of Dan & Dori!

2008-04-09T09:48:00.000-07:00

Ok......... "big sis" to the rescue! I will post some great pics of you, Dori, that you've already seen but since you said you don't have as many pics of you and Dan as you'd like...... here are two great ones for everyone ELSE to see!

Love you all!

--Utahna

Love this picture!!!

2008-04-08T22:36:00.000-07:00

I just had to post this picture of Dori and Michael. I love it!!! You gotta love how little Michael was smiling with Dori's touch. He knows who his Mommy is. :) Hope you all have a great day. Love you!

Love, Crys

I'm lovin' seeing all these pictures!!!

2008-04-08T22:24:00.000-07:00

So...Seeing all these pictures of everyone is so awesome. It's crazy to think that we are all living separate lives and have missed out on so much. But I'm glad we have this now and are able to stay in contact more and see each other, even if it's pictures! I went through some old pictures that I don't think you all have seen. Most of them are when Nick and I lived in Monterey. Seems like a lifetime ago. We miss it!!! :( But we are liking it here a lot more. It's starting to warm up a lot. So it's so much better!!! :) Anyway, here are a few of the pictures. Love you guys! Can't wait to see you!!!

Love, Crys Christmas time in Utah 2006

Our 2nd Anniversary
May 28, 2007

Halloween 2006 ( Harry Potter and Hermione Granger)
Halloween party at our house

When I first moved to Monterey

It's nice to be back on the Family Blog...

2008-04-08T20:27:00.000-07:00

Hi All,

We hope that you and your sweet families are each doing wonderfully well. We are happy & just came back from our dinner celebration. Can't believe it has been 2 yrs. already. We are in the throws of deciding just which things we want to get done & which things we are going to put on hold until after our Service Mission here in San Diego at the Mission Home. It will be for 1 year with the option to extend if our health is such that we can. Mine primarily is in question, yet we feel it is a blessing & privilege to be asked to serve. As it stands now, there is paper work to fill out & other things that are necessarily required by Salt Lake. We are looking at an Aug. 1st starting time but are grateful that it will be here in San Diego - no worries about the house; Drs. appt., etc., close by & in an area that we know. It just makes for a Mission that we know the Lord wanted for us. We'll know more down the line. In any event, it also means that there won't be any problems seeing you all during the Reunion. It should be a great time & I'm hoping everyone can attend. We really need to do this every couple of years as kids grow so fast & many things happen to us in our lives. I am so truly grateful to each of you for going ahead & getting the ball rolling.

I had a great time visiting with Cheryl, John & Chris in Utah if only for just 4 1/2 days. Between the two of us, Cheryl & I, we managed to spread the wealth to every store we shopped in! John's work, Famous Dave's BBQ Restaurant, is very big, very busy & serves scrumptious food. It is like a rustic cabin with memorabilia & a hunter's trophy case all done in good taste. I'd say it deserves a visit for lunch or dinner anytime. Cheryl showed me a place where the family often goes that is a Mandarin Buffet that served killer food including Mongolian Beef BBQ like we used to get at Shanghai. It was great & also deserves a return visit. The whole area is sure growing & the people at Cheryl's work seemed to think a lot of her. It was so much bigger than I had envisioned. No wonder they are a multi-million $ Co. On Monday morning, I had a chance to do a session at the St. George Temple & that was very nice. There must - seriously - have been at least 100 people in my session, or maybe more. My trip down to Las Vegas afterwards, was uneventful but finding the return place for the car was a nightmare. I drove around before I got the tank filled & then made it straight to the return center (by then I knew where it was via previously passed signs, etc. & decided to return it at least 1 hr. early & get on over to the airport & situated for the flight - that took off over 2 hours late!! See - that will teach me to be extra early - it doesn't pay - in fact Dollar Rent a car charged me for 4 extra hours that I thought was already paid in the contract per the agreed upon hours! Sie le vie. I just won't use them again, that's all. Anyway, with a delayed flight, as I said, the people in the area became buddies & in fact, a gal I met on the plane was telling me she'd like to get some history on her family from Ireland when they changed their name, etc., & let's just say that I hooked her up with the right web sight, told her where the family history center is at the Mission Valley Bldg. on the east end & promised to send her some papers to help her in filling out her family genealogy more easily than just listing them. I have some family group sheets & pedigree charts with just some basic info that doesn't have the church info on them.

It was good to get home safely & now that I've written a 10 pg ltr/blog, I will say Good Night to each of you. It was good to have Garry meet me at the airport & half carry my luggage & me to the car!! I'm glad he missed me, too!

We look forward to continually hearing from you & seeing all those wonderful pictures of each one of you. We'll have to get busy & try to do that, too. Hugs & kisses to all from us both!

Mom & Garry

Two more that wouldn't go through with the last one!

2008-04-08T15:04:00.000-07:00

Argh! Just when I think I've got it, it freezes! What can I say? Two more and then I'll take a break with Atwell family pictures for a while!

xoxxoxo

Oldies but goodies......

2008-04-08T14:59:00.001-07:00

It seems like I am the busiest one on the blog!!! Oh well! A few more pictures of the family from our cruise that you probably never got to see! A bit old..... but still fun!

Love you all!

xoxox

Utahna

Looking forward to seeing everyone!

2008-04-07T17:52:00.000-07:00

I started this in comments but figured I wanted it for everyone so I went back to New Post......anyway....

Thanks, Dori! Glad you picked a picture of me with my face covered!! I had to enlarge it to see if it was me. I don't even remember taking that picture! :)

Anyway, I was glad to make the calls. I hope I wasn't overbearing or pressuring in any way, either. I was just trying to coordinate schedules with 4 busy families--no big deal!! :)

I've marked that date on our calendar, too. On a side note, after I got off the phone with everyone, Tom tells me, "You know, Hon, that's the weekend I am in LA for a tournament on Sat. and Sunday." I could just scream! I was worried about coordinating 3 other families, and my own one had an issue! No worries... he'll be around Friday and Monday so we can work out some "seeing time" of him--if not, he won't be missed! hee hee This is all about the girls reuniting anyways!!:):) Right? Right? Can I get an "Amen, Sista!?"

So, I don't want that minor conflict to change our plan of the 11th thru 14th. If that works for Cheryl, it seems to be the one that works best for everyone else, too. We'll wait to hear from Cheryl for confirmation. :)

So, I'll see if I can post some pictures tomorrow from work. We'll see! Dori's were really good. Great picture of Mom and Garry! :)

Miss you all. Love you all!
xoxox
Utahna

Thanks Utahna

2008-04-07T12:37:00.001-07:00

Thanks Utahna for calling around to find out the best dates for our family reunion. I didn't want to be overbearing about the whole thing, so I'm glad you called. I marked our calander for the 11th thru14th. If we need to change it, just let me know. I'm glad to know of a date that I'll get to see and be with my sisters again. I really do appreciate our friendships!! Love ya-

And a few more for fun!

2008-04-05T12:25:00.001-07:00

Here's a few more of Amber...I just can't help taking pictures of her. She's so cute! Anyway...love you!

Chris!!!

2008-04-05T12:21:00.001-07:00

Hello! :)
I just got off the phone with Chris a little bit ago. He is planning on joining the blog too, so that's exciting. Anyway, he sent me a picture of his girlfriend Jordon and himself. I thought it was a great picture, so I'm posting it! (Don't worry, I asked him!) Anyway, talk with ya'll later! Love you!

Crys

It Worked!!!

2008-04-04T14:32:00.001-07:00

Now I know what Dori meant by saying it might be "too easy" to put too many pictures up. Although I still have to work on the format of it, I just HAD to include a few more random pictures that you might enjoy! One is Nick and "a strange guy in a pilot's helmet." One is Tom holding Amber at Christmastime--such a sweet picture! And another is my sweet son Cole shining at his Publishing Party, where he did such a great job on his writing!

Enjoy! I love you all--I'll try not to overdo it!! -- Utahna

Maybe it will work?

2008-04-04T14:17:00.000-07:00

Okay... I'm going to try and upload some pictures. We'll see...... If this works, you should see Lexi and Cole "posing" for everyone last night before bed. They were having fun and being silly! There's also a picture of Crys, Amber and Lexi and Cole. Hope it works!

xoxoxo Utahna

Family Reunion Dates

2008-04-04T13:01:00.000-07:00

I at first responded to Crys with this, but then realized everyone should know what we can do. Dan can't get ANY time off in June. The owner and other manager at work are already going to be gone in June and they politely said not to even ask for any time off then. So July would be better for us. A long weekend would be ideal, I think anyway. We could plan a picnic at the beach or a park, a BBQ, games, ... I'm already getting excited and we're just talking about maybe doing it. When can Cheryl make it? FUN! FUN! FUN!

Love-
Dori

Love the BEACH!

2008-04-04T11:26:00.001-07:00

LOVE the new background, Crys! I must be getting old because it is much easier for me to see the writing on this background than through the lightning--although, I thought the lightning was a very cool picture.

Anyway, I agree let's hear from Cheryl and Dori about when their families can come and then go from there!

I will try to post some pictures of Lexi and Cole a bit later. Wish me luck!

Love you all,

Utahna

Family reunion!!!

2008-04-04T09:16:00.000-07:00

Hello,
So I figured instead of just responding to your question Utahna, through comments, I would just post it. :) Nicks family reunion is July 4th-11th up in Newport. It's just gonna be Amber and I since Nick is being deployed May 26th. My plan is to fly into San Diego and drive up to Newport for the week. I wanted to come a few days early to see everyone, but I can always come earlier to have as much time with our own family reunion! Right now, it kinda is up to whenever everyone else can come. Amber and I would love to come anytime for as long as possible. My next door neighbor is watching Kodah and Jake for us, so they can stay somewhere they're comfortable and with people they know and like. They love our neighbors, so I feel more comfortable leaving them. So just let me know Dori and Cheryl when is best for you and we can work our schedule around that. I don't have to be with Nicks family for the 4th of July, if we wanted to do something ourselves. Just let me know. I'm so excited!!! Love you guys!

Crys

Family Get Together?

2008-04-03T20:18:00.000-07:00

Thank you for your nice comments regarding the pictures! This is my favorite and one of the most recent pictures of Michael. I caught his smile on camera. Yea!!!

Okay, I'm just throwing this out there, based on a few things you guys have mentioned. Should we have a Family Get Together when Crys is down in San Diego around the beginning of July? I'd really like it to be in HAWAII :) but San Diego is good too. That could be really fun, especially if we planned a few things. No pressure, just a thought. We'd love to get together and see everyone.

This is a picture of Elijah and Isaac's little pre-school friends. Every Tuesday and Thursday they get together at one of our houses for that week and work on whatever. I've been working with them on Phonics mostly, (Elijah read his first book to me the other day.) I bought the same curriculum that Jacob did in pre-school, since it worked so great for him. We were working on the letter S, so they got to dress up as Super Hero's. (Luke, Coby, Elijah, and Isaac)

BOYS WILL BE BOYS

2008-04-02T14:36:00.000-07:00

MY BOYS
AND THEIR BIG MUSCLES!!

We were having fun one day after school.

They were sooo funny!

Makes me want to be young and carefree again! :)

Easter Pictures

2008-04-02T14:07:00.000-07:00

My computer is doing some funny things. Today I got on and everything is MAGNIFIED! It's giving me a headache. And I don't really know how things look.Anyone know anything about how to fix it? Anyways, I hope I you enjoy some of our Easter pictures. The boys and I went to the mall here one day and took these pictures with the Easter Bunny. I like hearing from everyone, this is fun!

More pics! :)

2008-03-31T08:36:00.001-07:00

Hi!!! Utahna... you make me laugh. :) I know what you mean though. I check this thing way too much. Anyway, I wanted to post a few more pictures of Amber. Hope things are going well for everyone. Love you and look forward to seeing you soon. Miss you!

Love,
Crys

Is it too soon to be addicted? :)

2008-03-29T21:30:00.000-07:00

Ok............ I keep checking the blog to hear from Cheryl? Where are you? What's going on with you and your family? :)

I also find myself sorta addicted.... signing on frequently to see if there's anything new. Kinda like my other email! :)....... Dori, I want some more scriptures to give me perspective! :) Crys, I need another updated picture(s) of that sweet baby of yours....... Cheryl, (back to you), can we see a picture of Chris?:) And your dogs?:) ....... Mom and Garry, how about some pics of all the changes you've been making in the house? :)

Miss you all! I'll try to get some newer pictures uploaded, too. First, I have to call Crys to find out how to do it!!! :)))

Happy Saturday night!

Love,

Utahna

2008-03-28T16:08:00.000-07:00

I got the chance to refuel some A-10's and had my phone handy so I thought I'd take a video for ya'll. I know the quality isn't fantastic but you should get the idea of what I do. They may be kind of slow and boring but it still is pretty cool. If you got any questions I'd be happy to give ya an answer. Anyways, enjoy :)

P.S. Sorry I didn't get the contact on video, I was looking out the window and not at my phone :P

Better Later than Never...... :)

2008-03-27T20:32:00.001-07:00

Okay. I'm lame. Took me long enough to get on here! Thanks, Crys, for setting it up. Don't know why it got confusing for me but at least I am here NOW! :) Although this is my first post, I HAVE posted two comments so far, so does that count for something?!?! :) I'm doing things backwards here--commenting on other posts before entering my own. Anyway..... I think this is a great idea, Crys! Thanks for getting this together. I LOVE getting the updates and seeing the cool pictures! Wow! Talk about snow! What an adventure you must all be having! Amber is absolutely adorable and I am sooooo glad you are posting pictures. Lexi squeals with delight when I show her the pictures. She loves ALL of her cousins--but doesn't seem to squeal over the boys. Go figure!? It must be that innate female bonding thing! :)

Anyway...we are well. Busy, busy, busy! Cole started after-school sports today for 6 weeks of Thursdays. He played football today and loved it but was soooooo dirty when I picked him up! Man, boys play hard and he had the dirty face and dirty clothes to prove it! Lexi is hard at work, memorizing her lines and dance routines for the play she is in. She has a lead--but, the down-side is her role is a GUY! She's kind of torn between being excited she has a major role and disappointed she doesn't get to wear cool girl clothes. Ahhh! The joy of raising a pre-teen girl! Sometimes I feel like I should just be taken out now! :)

So..... we are all doing well after our Spring Break and are starting the count down to the 11 weeks of school left until Summer. How sad is that? Eleven weeks to go and we have begun counting down! Hard to believe that in 11 weeks we will be the parents of a 5th grader and 2nd grader. Crazy how time flies so fast! Hold on, Crys! ...... and don't blink! :)

Love you all and I promise to be better about blogging and updating you all on our little life in San Diego.

Happy "almost the weekend"!!! --Utahna

Perspective

2008-03-25T22:28:00.000-07:00

I've read this scripture before and loved it then. But today I re-read it and it brought comfort to me all over again. Tonight when I was writing about it, I felt like I should put it in our family blog. So...here it is. My favorite part is the end in red.

Alma 7:11-12
"And he shall go forth, suffering pains and ^aafflictions and ^btemptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will ^ctake upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

And he will take upon him ^adeath, that he may ^bloose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to ^csuccor his people according to their infirmities."

I love this because it reminds me that regardless of who does or doesn't know either what we are going through or how we feel, the Savior does and he knows how to help us best. (That is how he wanted it.)

I am so grateful that we are family. Friends come and go, (even ones we don't think will,) but despite our differences our family is always there. Thanks. I love you guys!

OK, I'm off my soap box, thanks for letting feel taller for a few moments. Ha, ha, ha. :)

Happy Easter...a day late! :)

2008-03-24T20:43:00.000-07:00

Hello family! We just wanted to wish everyone a Happy belated Easter. We hope everyone had a great one with all the families. We had a pretty good Easter. Church was nice. We had our picture taken to put in the Stake Directory. That way when the stake presidency comes to visit, they know who we are. (So they say:P) We had a big Easter dinner, so that was nice. I ended up making a gigantic ham for just the two of us. Yeah...we'll be havin' ham sandwiches for a month. Other than that, it was pretty low key. Just nice to be together as a family and celebrate the Atonement! What a blessing it is for all of us. I am far from perfect. I am forever grateful for the gift the Lord gave us!

We were excited because the dreaded snow had started to melt, but our excitement was short lived and premature. It snowed about 5'-6' this weekend, leaving a blanket of snow for us to deal with. Oh well...they say it's gonna end. I don't know about that one. Nick and I just think it's wrong to be snowing like that at the END OF MARCH!!! We'll just keep waiting for it to stop!

Here are a few pictures of Amber in her Easter dress. And a cute little video of her kicking and smilin' away! She looked pretty cute if I say so myself. Our camera finally gave up and broke this past week, so we need to get a new one soon. For now, we're using our camera phones, so the quality isn't as good as we'd like. But it's better than nothing. Anyway, we love you all. Can't wait to see you all. Love, Crys

Exciting & Changing Times

2008-03-22T13:39:00.001-07:00

So...

How cool is this - to be able to talk with all of you at the same time! May you all have a beautiful, Happy Easter. We sure are fortunate to live in America where we can celebrate whatever we want, whenever we want. It's one of our choicest blessings. I truly consider each of you my sweet blessings & I know Father in Heaven is very happy with all the good choices that you & your family members make, too. The Gospel is true & the Book of Mormon is, too.

San Diego is boasting a beautiful 82 degrees today & looks & feels so gorgeous. Anyone (or all) want to come on by & check it out?? What no takers?? It's an open invitation anytime! We opted not to go on the Campo Train Ride down to the border today but will make it when it is a little less crowded as all the kids that are going on the Wyoming Trek in August (replicating the Martin & Wille Handcart Companies by the early Mormon pioneers) are going today. Maybe a future weekend before the summertime. It will be too hot then to enjoy it.

Do know how much each of you are loved & I thank you for being so special - my little angels all grown up!!

Lovingly,

Mom

Pictures of Amber

2008-03-13T19:20:00.000-07:00

I'm so excited that we are doing this for our family! I really hope it works out. I love you guys! Here are a few pictures of Amber. Hope to see you soon!

Love, Crys

Hello my beautiful family!!!

2008-03-07T23:23:00.000-08:00

Ok, so I had the idea to start a blog for our family, in hopes that we will ALL post and be able to keep in touch just a little bit better. I know we are all so busy with our individual lives, but I firmly believe that we need each other and will truly benefit from this if we really make the effort. I love all of you so much. I miss you and think about you often.

We are doing well out here in North Dakota. It is ridiculously freezing, but we hear it's suppose to end. We're still waiting for that one. :) Amber is getting so big!!! It makes me sad some days. She is so smart and active. She rolled over for the first time the other day. When she did, I think she surprised herself cause then she looked at me and started smilin' away. Sooo cute! I love being a Mom! It is the greatest joy I have ever experienced. I love it!

Jake and Kodah are lovin the snow. If we we'd let them they'd eat, sleep and play outside all day. (On a side note: you KNOW it's cold when two Siberian huskies run straight back to the door when they're done going to the bathroom, instead of playing :) ) They are great with Amber, which is a real blessing for me. She just giggles and smiles when they wrestle or lick her toes. I love it! They are little best friends. All three of them are gonna plot against me some day, I just know it!

Nick is back in the air again after some more training when we first got here. He loves being in the air and actually doing his job. We still don't know when he's going to be deployed exactly, but we'll keep you all posted.

I am doing well. Just trying to adjust to everything and be grateful that we are finally settled.
( at least for the next year or two!) We are very blessed and are so grateful to finally be together again as a family.

I love you all. I truly hope that we all take this opportunity and try to connect just a little bit better. Some things just can't be expressed on a phone. ;) And that way we can post pictures of all of our families too. I hope to talk to you all soon!

Crys

I've added a few pictures, so you can see some of the things we can do. And also look at my cute baby!!! Hehe :)